Pfeifer's return is official for the 2007-08 season

FAYETTEVILLE – Graduate student Sarah Pfeifer received another year to complete her collegiate athletic career from the NCAA and rejoins the University of Arkansas women’s basketball team for the 2007-08 season, Lady Razorback head coach Tom Collen announced.

“We are very happy to have Sarah back,” Collen said. “We all felt that she would receive the waiver, and we just received word that it has been approved.”

After missing two seasons to injury during her career, Pfeifer asked the NCAA for an extension of her clock after the end of the 2006-07 season. Division I athletes typically have a five-year timeframe in which they may participate in four seasons of college athletics. Pfeifer’s time expired at the close of last season, but due to injury circumstances beyond her control was granted an additional year to complete her fourth season. Women’s Athletic Department officials received phone notification of the grant this week.

“Her competitive spirit and experience will be very important for our young team,” Collen said.

Last season, Pfeifer played in all 31 games, averaging 8.1 ppg and 3.1 rpg with 14 starts for the Lady Razorbacks.

With Pfeifer’s return official, the Lady’Backs have three “senior” players as the Ozark, Ark., veteran joins rising seniors Lauren Ervin and Brittney Vaughn. Arkansas returns only two full-time starters from a 18-13 team with seven members of the current 11-player roster having either one varsity letter or no collegiate experience.

Collen also said that freshman Donica Cosby will not return next season. Cosby’s scholarship was suspended for the 2007-08 as a result of a violation of UA Women’s Athletic Department rules. The 5-8 guard chose to transfer rather than sit out and return for the 2008-09 season. Cosby averaged 11.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg, playing 30 of the 31 games.

Arkansas gets a head start on the 2007-08 women’s basketball season in just over a month. The Lady Razorbacks have 10 days of practice opportunities this season in advance of a foreign tour to Canada over the Labor Day weekend.

Tickets for the upcoming 2007-08 Lady Razorback basketball season will be on sale within the next few weeks. For further information on the Lady Razorbacks, please visit the official website of the UA Women’s Athletics Department, LADYBACKS.COM.